The morning broke giving an explicit grace to the sun to rise above Zamunda. The sun grazed the compound of the Ortoms as an unusual silence passed through everyone's hut. The birds hummed sorrowfully on the trees as the trees waved their arms following the melody produced by the birds. The kingdom seemed unusually quiet except for the birds, crickets, and other wonders of nature that made little effort to subdue the silence.
Gem rose from her hut that morning and headed to her father's hut as her usual routine after performing some rites. Stepping into his chamber, she frowned slightly, surprised that the great seer was asleep which was unlike him. Then, she proceeded to wake him up. As her hands met his cold body, she called him but received silence for a response. She repeated the process for a while before exclaiming as it dawned on her that her father was lifeless.
The whole household ran out of their hut as Gem's voice rang out in alarm. Everyone rushed into the chamber with all their eyes on Gem sitting beside Ortom and weeping.
Mrs.Ortom couldn't breathe as the lifeless body of her husband came into view. Immediately, she tumbled on Markus who held her firmly in his arms then carried her to her chamber in haste with Ramsey following behind leaving the trio with the body.
Gem wailed as she sat beside her father's body with Kim and Lucas standing transfixed on a spot still trying to process the whole situation.
"Father, you promised not to leave this early" She cried.
Lucas's eyes stung with tears. He wasn't expecting this sudden death. Seeing Gem in so much pain, he bent down to console her knowing how attached she was to their father.
Kim watched in annoyance with his arms crossed beneath his chest as his back rested on the wall of the room. His face held no emotions as he stared at the duo who did nothing but amuse him more.
*********
"I sense something off, Zay. I think something isn't okay somewhere in my kingdom" The King spoke, shifting uneasily on his throne.
"My King and Father, you trouble yourself a lot. Everyone is okay if not, one of your subordinates would have been here to break the news to you" He spilled, setting his Father's heart at ease.
Zay knows how worried his father can be though he fears his instincts. As a King, he can tell when something is wrong but right now, he knew nothing was off if not someone would have brought the report.
Zay was still lost in thought when Chief Harrison, his father's closest friend and one of the chiefs appeared with a very sad expression. Seeing him, he knew truly, something was off and his father's worry was authentic.
"Long live the King of Zamunda." He acknowledged, bowing slightly before the throne.
"Rise, my friend. I can sense the sadness that emits from you. What bothers you?" The King asked.
"May the King of Zamunda live long." He spoke, gaining a nod from the King who sat impatiently on his seat, waiting for the news.
"The great seer is no more." The words dropped from his mouth.
The King couldn't help the weakness that moved all around his body. Prince Zay shook his head sadly while Harrison just stared into the sky.
*********
"Diadem, you shouldn't go. Mother won't be happy if you do" Ada coaxed her friend who was on the verge of leaving her hut.
"I don't care about Mother's trouble now. I need to go to the Ortoms compound. I know he needs me." She spewed, staring into Ada's eyes.
"You should not disobey Mother. You know how sad she will be when she returns."
"I don't care" She dropped before exiting the hut with her friend following behind.
*********
The Ortoms household became occupied with people suddenly. People trooped in clusters with sad countenances. The sorrowful voices that emanated from the compound greeted the ears of the King as he made his way into the compound gaining the whole attention of the people.
"Long live the great Lion of Zamunda" They all chorused, everyone lying on their stomach before the King.
A few moments later, the King headed back to the palace in slow and careful steps after seeing the lifeless body of his friend and also leaving the mourners to their sorrow.
"It's a sad news indeed!" Zay exclaimed, sitting beside his father.
"Since the seer is gone, I will also journey to the land of my fathers in no time, my son" The King spilled under his breath.
"Father, I can't imagine your absence. I know it is tradition that you leave alongside the seer who watched over your reign but you are the only one I have left since mother's demise. I don't think I can live without you" He cried, gripping the hem of his father's dress.
"Zay, I know you will do just fine. I did well with the help of the seer. You will also do well with the help of his daughter who will emerge as the new seer soon" The King coaxed, patting his shoulders.
***********
"Gem, put yourself together." Lucas consoled, hoisting her to sit on her bed.
Looking at how devastated she was, he felt his chest tighten. Their mother is still resuscitating and his brothers have been restless except for Kim who seems usually calm. Sitting beside her, he placed her head on his shoulders while patting her shoulders. After a few moments, she fell asleep on his shoulders. Stepping out of Gem's hut after putting her to sleep, he came face-to-face with his brother Kim. Kim stood with his hands resting behind his back and his eyes as red as hot coals which bore into the soul of Lucas like hot iron placed on cold flesh. He could feel the heat emanating from his brother but decided to keep his cool before the lad thinks he can be intimidated.
"Kim, Gem is asleep. It took much time to persuade her so if you don't mind, I will also head back to my hut" He stuttered under the gaze of Kim which made him uneasy.
"You loafer. I hate even the sight of you to the core. I knew you will be here since I still can't understand the kind of relationship you share with my sister." Kim yelled.
"She is my Sister too. The relationship between us is the bond of the family"
"You can't share that with any member of this household because you are not one of us. Prepare to leave this household and the entire Zamunda" He threatened, heading for his brothers' hut.
Lucas watched his retreating figure. Warm tears flowed down his cheeks. He has been sorrowful since this morning but only tried to be strong for the sake of his sister. He knows life will be so unbearable for him from now on as the only man who ever called him 'son' was no more. That night, all the tears he was fighting back came flowing uncontrollably. He remembered Diadem his maiden friend who came but was carried away by her mother. He wished his life was better.